Nearly 120 million Americans have at least one missing permanent tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. Though many people consider this a cosmetic concern, if you don’t fill the gap left behind, it can have lasting impacts on your oral health by increasing the risk of gum disease and bone loss. It can also affect your speech and make it challenging to chew, especially when eating tough foods.
Because of these risks, experienced dentist Irma Francisco, DDS, often recommends dental implants to people with missing teeth at her practice in San Jose, California. Here, she explains the risks associated with missing teeth, discusses how dental implants can restore function and protect oral health, and walks through the treatment process.
If you’ve lost just one tooth, you might assume it isn’t worth addressing. But, if you don’t replace it, other problems can start accumulating, like a snowball rolling down a mountain.
The most obvious concern is cosmetic. People with missing teeth often feel self-conscious and avoid speaking or smiling in public. This can have major impacts on your social life or career, especially if you’re in a client-facing role.
Losing a tooth also increases the risk of oral health problems, such as gum disease and jawbone loss. Without something to hold them in place, your surrounding teeth may begin changing position, placing extra pressure on your jaw and affecting how you bite and chew.
The good news is that replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant can prevent many of these issues.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that Dr. Francisco inserts into your empty tooth socket during an outpatient procedure. After placement, the implant fuses with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration.
Once that process is complete, she covers the post with a dental crown that matches your natural enamel. This restores your smile’s aesthetic appearance and makes it easier to eat and speak comfortably.
Dental implants offer various benefits. They:
With proper at-home care and regular checkups, dental implants often last a lifetime.
Getting a dental implant typically involves two appointments spaced several weeks apart to support healing.
Before recommending implants, Dr. Francisco reviews your dental records and completes an oral exam and dental X-rays. Most people can receive dental implants, but if you have gum disease or low bone volume, Dr. Francisco treats those issues first. For example, she may recommend a bone graft to ensure your implant has a strong anchor.
If your mouth is healthy, Dr. Francisco administers a local anesthetic and inserts the implant into your empty tooth socket during oral surgery. She then takes impressions of the implant and your tooth socket, covers the implant with a temporary crown, and sends the impressions to a lab that creates your permanent crown.
Several weeks later, after your mouth has healed, you return to our office. Dr. Francisco removes the temporary crown and replaces it with the permanent one, checking your bite and making any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.
A missing tooth may affect your confidence and oral health, but a dental implant restoration can address both. To request a consultation, contact us today by calling the office or booking an appointment online. After an exam, Dr. Francisco can determine whether you’re a candidate and make personalized treatment recommendations.
